Method and apparatus for switching input methods of a mobile terminal

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for switching input methods of a mobile terminal, the method comprises: Step A: receiving an operation instruction from a key to call out an input method selecting interface; Step B: reading a selection of an input method in the input method selecting interface; Step C: entering an editing environment of the selected input method; Step D: judging whether a plurality of input characters, which are not yet interpreted before switching the input method, are meaningful to the input method after switching; and Step E: if the plurality of input characters are meaningful, then interpreting the input character which is not yet interpreted by using the input method after switching. A user can input information into a mobile terminal more conveniently and rapidly through the present invention, and the input speed and user experience are improved.

1 . A method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal, comprising:
 Step A: receiving an operation instruction from a key to call out an input method selecting interface;   Step B: reading a selection of an input method in the input method selecting interface;   Step C: entering an editing environment of the selected input method;   Step D: judging whether a plurality of input characters, which are not yet interpreted before switching, are meaningful to the input method after switching; and   Step E: if the plurality of input characters are meaningful, then interpreting the plurality of input characters which are not yet interpreted by using the input method after switching.   
     
     
         2 . The method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein,
 when the press duration of the key exceeds a predetermined value or the key is double clicked, sending the operation instruction.   
     
     
         3 . The method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the step E comprises:
 if the plurality of input characters are not meaningful, then entering an editing environment of the input method after switching.   
     
     
         4 . The method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 2 , wherein the input method selecting interface comprises at least one of the following: an uppercase letter input method, a lowercase letter input method, a number input method, a stroke input method, a pinyin input method, and a smart English input method. 
     
     
         5 . The method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein,
 in the input method selecting interface which is called out, the current input method option is located at the center, surrounded by multiple input method options.   
     
     
         6 . The method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein before the step D, the method comprises: storing the plurality of input characters which are not yet interpreted before switching; and transmitting the stored information to the input method after switching. 
     
     
         7 . The method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 6 , wherein the step C comprises:
 comparing whether the input method before switching is as same as the input method after switching; and   if they are different, then switching the current editing environment to the editing environment of the selected input method.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for switching input methods of a mobile terminal, comprising:
 an input method selecting interface calling out module, configured to receive an operation instruction from a key so as to call out an input method selecting interface;   an input method selecting module, configured to read a selection of an input method in the input method selecting interface;   an editing environment switching module, configured to enter an editing environment of the selected input method;   
       a character judging module, configured to judge whether a plurality of input characters, which are not yet interpreted before switching, are meaningful to the input method after switching; and
 a continued interpreting module for information to be processed, configured to interpret the plurality of input characters, which are not yet interpreted by using the input method before switching, if the plurality of input characters are meaningful to the input method after switching. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 8 , wherein the editing environment switching module comprises:
 a comparing unit, configured to compare whether the input method before switching is the same as the input method after switching; and   a switching unit, configured to switch to a new input method in the situation that the comparing unit confirms that the input method before switching is different from the input method after switching.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a storage device, configured to store the plurality of input characters which are not yet interpreted before switching the input method.   
     
     
         11 . The method for switching input methods of a mobile terminal according to  claim 3 , wherein the input method selecting interface comprises at least one of the following: an uppercase letter input method, a lowercase letter input method, a number input method, a stroke input method, a pinyin input method, and a smart English input method.